ADDENDUM RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01629-2

COUNSEL:	NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of The United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

RESUME OF CASE:
On 5 August 2014, the Air Force Board for Corrections of Military Records (AFBCMR) considered and denied the applicant’s request correct his records to reflect the VSM. The Board agreed with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) because they found no error and were unable to verify the applicant’s service in Thailand. A complete copy of the Record of Proceedings (ROP) is attached at Exhibit G.

By application, dated 28 April 2015, and letter, dated 9 March 2016, the applicant requests reconsideration to have his DD Form
214 amended to reflect the VSM. The reason that it took so many years to discover this error is because he has been diagnosed with a chronic terminal disease and he is trying to get things in his life in order. After looking at his DD Form 214, he noticed the form only shows 4 not 5 awards. The VSM is missing, which he distinctly remembers receiving while he was TDY to Guam (as he remembers it, the medal came in an envelope with a cover letter stating what it was for). Once he noticed the omission, he began the process of getting his records corrected. The letter he received from the AFBCMR states that he cannot request reconsideration of his case without additional newly discovered relevant evidence. However, he feels that he is being penalized because the Air Force failed to document and keep accurate records. He cannot supply something that was never put in writing. This in itself is an injustice to all the veterans who served during that time. He provides photographic evidence that he received the award (photo of himself in “Blues Uniform” at Lambert Field Airport March 1968 when he was deploying for Southeast Asia). He has no reason to ask for an award that he was not due to

receive and he has no reason to lie about receiving this award. The Air Force letter does not explain/acknowledge the photo he included with his request. While he realizes that it is not very good quality, it does show the ribbon on his jacket was yellow, the only ribbon with that color at the time. He would be happy to swear under oath that the circumstances and events he has explained are true and correct to the best of his knowledge.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit H.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to overcome the rationale expressed in the previous decision, which denied the applicant’s request to have his DD Form 214 amended to reflect the VSM. After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of this case, it is our opinion that the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. In this regard, we are persuaded that the applicant did, in fact, serve in the area of eligibility to have been awarded the VSM. Specifically, the applicant’s performance report with a closeout date of 13 March 1967, indicates he participated in Operation ARC LIGHT, which included missions to the area of eligibility. Furthermore, the applicant’s AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, reflects his temporary duty was from 11 January 1967 for 160 days. In view of the above, we believe the applicant has provided substantial evidence to support award of the VSM. In addition, based on the AFPC/DPSID recommendation, the applicant qualifies for and should be awarded the VSM with two Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/2BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P). Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that the DD Form 214, Armed Forces of The United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 13 January 1970 separation, be amended in Item 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/2BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P).

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01629-2 20 June 2017 in Executive Session on 2017-06- 20T14:30:00.0 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit G.	Original ROP, dated 2 Feb 16, w/Exhibits A thru F.
Exhibit H.	DD Form 149, dated 28 Apr 15, w/atchs.
Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.